The BSE benchmark Sensex fell by nearly 80 points in early trade today as funds and retail investors indulged in offloading positions in view of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment amid a weak trend in Asia. The 30-share index, which shed nearly 360 points in the previous four sessions, moved down by 79.47 points, to 17,411.34, with stocks of metal, capital goods and realty sectors under pressure.Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty declined by 23.50 points, to 5,264.30.Meanwhile, in Asia, Japan's Nikkei Index fell by 0.74 per cent, while Hong Kong market shed 0.66 per cent. The US dow Jones Industrial Average ended almost flat in yesterday's trade.